System for secured delivery of packages or other items

ABSTRACT

A system for delivering an ordered item to a location where no one is available to receive the item, including a key locked storage box provided at the location in addition to a key receptacle at the location having a lock openable with a settable code. When delivery of an item is ordered, a code is assigned, and the code is printed on a label affixed to the item, a peel off security strip overlaid onto the assigned code imprint. The delivery person removes the strip when at the location and enters the code into the key receptacle lock to obtain the key necessary to open the box and place the item therein. A bar code strip in the box provides location data when scanned to enable verification of a successful delivery.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional applicationSer. No. 60/179,173, filed on Jan. 31, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention concerns the secure delivery of packages tounattended locations, such as to homes where the residents are away atthe time of the delivery.

[0003] There is currently a great need for an improved delivery systemin a situation where a person is not available to receive the item atthe time of the delivery. The great increase in the number of householdswhere both husband and wife work out of the home, and the growing volumeof E-commerce combine to increase this need. It is very costly fordelivery companies to make return calls, and simply leaving packages ona porch or doorway invites theft and precludes verification of delivery.

[0004] Complex systems have heretofore been proposed to meet this need,as for example, the systems shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,750, issued onNov. 9, 1999 for a “Computerized Delivery Acceptance System” and U.S.Pat. No. 5,774,053, issued on Jun. 30, 1998 for a “Storage Device forthe Delivery and Pickup of Goods”.

[0005] In both instances, a complex computer control is envisioned whichcompares preset codes in an electronic memory with a code selectivelyinput as by the use of a keyboard to control access to a receptacle.

[0006] Due to both cost and reliability concerns, a simpler system isdesirable, which is both convenient, reliable, and secure.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system forthe secure delivery of packages and other items to an unattendedlocation which is simple, yet convenient and secure.

[0008] Combination locks have been in use for controlling access tostorage facilities but are not readily code settable. More recently,code settable key receptacles have been developed allowing access to akey for a door lock, allowing a service or delivery person who has beengiven a preset code to obtain access to a house or other building forsome particular purpose, the code being conveniently resettable with newcodes to prevent future access by use of a previously disclosed code.While this provides a simple and reliable solution for service access toa house, this does not solve the above described problems associatedwith package delivery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The above objects, and others which will become apparent upon areading of the following specification and claims, are achieved byproviding a package receiving storage box readily accessible at thelocation to which a package is to be delivered. The box is equipped witha key lock, and the key is kept in a separate fixed receptacle which hasa readily codeable lock, controlling access thereto.

[0010] When a package order is made to shipper, a code is assigned,either by the purchaser or the company to whom the order is made. Thepurchaser sets this code into the key receptacle lock, after the orderhas been entered. In the meantime, the shipper causes the code to beprinted on a package label and covered with a security seal, the labeledpackage then sent to a delivery company. When a delivery person havingthe package reaches the package destination, the delivery person peelsoff the seal to read the code, and enters the code into the keyreceptacle lock, obtaining the key. After unlocking and opening thestorage box, the delivery person scans a bar code strip inside the box,generating electronic data as to the box location for package deliverytracking purposes, and deposits the package in the box, then closing andlocking the same.

[0011] The key is returned to the receptacle, and a second bar codestrip on the inside of the receptacle is scanned for verification of thereturn of the key.

[0012] The scanned data may be transmitted to the delivery company databank for delivery status check and delivery verification.

[0013] The use of a separate key receptacle adapts the system to anystorage facility and lock, which may be provided by a purchaser.

[0014] The simple key receptacle locked by a resettable lock is simple,low in cost, and reliable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a building porch andentrance door, with a storage box and key receptacle used in the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 1A is an enlarged perspective view of the building with thekey receptacle and storage box shown in FIG. 1, the storage box openedto show a bar code strip affixed on the inside.

[0017]FIG. 1B is a further enlarged perspective view of the keyreceptacle shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A.

[0018]FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the key receptacle shown in FIG.1B with the cover removed and rotated to show a bar code strip affixedthereon.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package having a code imprintlabel and security seal affixed thereto.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a block diagram flow chart setting out the steps of thedelivery system process according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the following detailed description, certain specificterminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a particularembodiment described in accordance with the requirements of 35 USC 112,but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be limitingand should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable oftaking many forms and variations within the scope of the appendedclaims.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a building 10 is shown to which a package 12is to be delivered. A storage box 14 is located outside the building 10,shown adjacent an entrance door 16, equipped with a key lock 18. Thestorage box 14 would normally be anchored to the porch wall or floor toprevent removal. A key receptacle 20 is held to the building, as bybeing captured on the door knob 22 of the entrance door 16. The keyreceptacle 20 could alternatively be built in or bolted to the building10 or in any other well known manner.

[0023] The storage box 14 key lock 18 may be opened with a key 24. A barcode strip 26 is affixed to the inside of the storage box 14, which whenscanned generates data corresponding to the building location for use bythe delivery company in verifying delivery.

[0024] The locking key receptacle 20 is of a commercially availabletype, which can be of several different types. Supra Products of Salem,Oreg. makes such receptacles suitable for this purpose. A U-shapedmember 30 is at the top, which can be released upon opening of a cover32 to be placed over a door knob 17 to capture the same. Otherreceptacle types are designed to be built in, bolted down, door hingemounted, etc.

[0025] The cover 32 has a series of coding buttons 34 to encode alocking mechanism in the cover 32 which controls removal of the cover32. A slide 36 is released when a code matching a preset code is enteredby depressing selected keys 34 in the well known manner.

[0026] A reset slide 38 enables resetting of the selected code. A cavity40 defined in a receptacle housing 41 is opened when the cover 32 isremoved allowing removal of the key 24 for opening the storage box lock14. A bar code strip 44 may be affixed to the inside of the cover 32 forscanned verification of the feet of replacement of the key 42. Thepreset code is set by rotating the buttons from the inside.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, a label 46 is printed by the shipper whichhas the preset code imprinted thereon, covered by a peel-off removablesecurity strip 48.

[0028] Key receptacles incorporating rotary combination or electroniclocks may also be used.

[0029]FIG. 3 sets out the steps of the system process according to theinvention, which could be executed as a part of an on line transaction,but could also be used with more traditional transactions wheneverdelivery of packages is involved.

[0030] The process begins with a purchaser such as a consumer executes apurchase or other delivery order from a remote shipper, as via anon-line purchase from an e-company, designated as the shipper.

[0031] A unique code is assigned at that time, either by the shipper orthe ordering party.

[0032] The consumer/orderer presets the assigned code into the keyreceptacle lock mechanism, and, if necessary for a receptacle which isnot built in or otherwise anchored, secures the receptacle outside thebuilding to which the package is to be delivered in a locationprominently visible to a delivery person.

[0033] The shipper generates a label which has the assigned code printedthereon, overlain with the peel-off security seal, and places the labelon the package.

[0034] The labeled package is then transferred to the delivery company,which then places the package in its normal system for delivery.Ultimately, the delivery person responsible for that delivery takes thepackage to the delivery location, peels off the security seal to readthe assigned code, which is set into the key receptacle at thatlocation.

[0035] After opening the key receptacle 20 and removing the key 24, thestorage box 14 is unlocked and the package deposited therein.

[0036] Modern delivery companies equip their drivers with bar codescanners in order to aid tracking of deliveries, the scanned datatransmitted in various ways to a computer data bank which is accessed totrack deliveries.

[0037] The bar code 26 in the storage box 14 is thus scanned by thedelivery person, which data corresponds to the delivery location, inorder to verify, very reliably, that the package delivery has been madeand has been made to the correct location.

[0038] The key 24 is then replaced in the key receptacle 20 and closed.The bar code strip 44 can be scanned to verify that the key 24 has beenreplaced in the receptacle 20.

[0039] After the consumer/orderer arrives at the delivery site, since heor she knows the assigned code, he or she can obtain the key 24 andaccess the storage box 14 to obtain the package.

[0040] Various deliveries can be arranged for a given day, which is mademore secure since such key receptacles can be opened even if excess codenumbers are entered, or the code numbers are entered in a differentorder, so that nominally different codes can be assigned.

1. A method of delivering items to an unattended location pursuant to anorder, comprising the steps of: providing a key locked storage box atsaid location; providing a receptacle for a key to said storage box lockat said location, said key receptacle having a lock openable by apresettable code; assigning a code when a delivery order is placed;setting said key receptacle with said assigned code; preparing a labelfor said item bearing said assigned code; transporting said item to saidlocation; entering said assigned code into said key receptacle lock andopening the same to obtain said key; opening said storage box anddepositing said item therein; thereafter reclosing and locking saidstorage box; and, placing said key back in said key receptacle andclosing the same.
 2. The method according to claim 1 further includingthe step of placing a peelable security strip over said package label toprevent viewing of said code.
 3. The method according to claim 1 furtherincluding the step of fixing a bar code strip in said storage box, saidbar code providing location data when scanned, and further including thestep of scanning said bar code during the time said storage box is opento deposit said item.
 4. The method according to claim 3 furtherincluding fixing a bar code in said key receptacle and scanning saidcode when replacing said key.
 5. The method according to claim 1 furtherincluding the step of providing a lock able to be mechanicallypresettable with a selected code for opening said key receptacle.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1 further including the step of entering saidcode in said key receptacle lock, and opening said key receptacle toobtain said key, and opening said storage box lock to enable removal ofsaid item previously deposited.
 7. The method according to claim 3wherein said location data obtained by scanning said bar code istransmitted to a delivery data bank for enabling verification of adelivery to said location.